COMENIUS UNIVERSITY OPENS THE 107TH ACADEMIC YEAR
Bratislava, 22 September 2025 – Comenius University Bratislava (CU) today ceremonially opened its 107th academic year with the participation of the academic community. On this occasion, Rector Marek Števček extended recognition to three outstanding personalities of the university.
At the ceremonial opening held in the CU Auditorium, the Rector awarded the J. A. Comenius Memorial Plaque to three individuals whose work represents an extraordinary contribution not only to Comenius University, but also to Slovak society. Professor Daniela Ostatníková was honoured for her outstanding professional, scientific, pedagogical, and publication contributions to the aetiology and research of autism. Professor Dušan Meško received the award for his long-standing, rich, and highly beneficial scientific and pedagogical activity in the field of sports medicine. Professor Anton Gáplovský was recognised for his years of dedicated work, innovative and creative engagement in the development of intelligent technologies and competence centres, and for fostering scientific progress.
In his speech, the Rector drew attention to the current societal challenges which the university addresses directly, stressing its crucial role of both an administrative institution and as a centre of intellectual integrity, the search for truth, and the development of a culture of values. “There is no need to demolish the proverbial cathedral. We must tirelessly, humbly, yet convincingly proclaim the idea that today’s academic institutions are meant to embody and, in the words of the classics, I WANT TO BELIEVE that our university embodies it to the greatest possible degree. The idea is that there are things worth fighting for, and that there are means that enable such an honourable fight. That the only idea upon which today’s university must be built is the sincere effort to seek truth, and that questioning today’s knowledge is permissible and desirable only to make room for new knowledge,” said CU Rector Števček.
He added that the university is a place where an important struggle is waged over the form of institutions and values, and where a tolerant, empathetic, and intellectually honest community is being shaped. He highlighted the importance of patience, talent, and moral certainty in the process of acquiring knowledge and in the struggle against scepticism and nihilism, which often threaten the fundamental principles of social discourse in today’s society. The festive atmosphere of the assembly was further enhanced by a musical performance by the vocal–instrumental ensemble Vocalatté.
So far, nearly 22,500 students have enrolled at CU for the 2025/2026 academic year, 3,860 of whom are from abroad. During the winter semester, CU will also host 448 students of the Erasmus+ programme and other international students from 27 countries worldwide. The largest groups will come from Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and Germany.
Comenius University Bratislava, the only Slovak university consistently ranked in most prestigious international rankings of higher education institutions. It offers study at all levels (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and PhD programmes), in 806 study programmes with the right to confer the respective academic degree across its thirteen faculties in three cities (Bratislava, Martin, and Nitra).